Castration for Sex Offenders

[madscientist (imported)]

This is a contraversial subject. Those who say it is too drastic point out that mistakes can be made. However, this does not stop the death penalty, the most drastic punishment of them all, & like castration, irreversible. There are those who say that a determined sex offender will take testosterone, thus negating the effects of the surgery. Maybe. But unless we wish to incarcerate these people for life it is really impossible to keep the truly determined from re-offending.

[Sherry (imported)]

This is a contraversial subject. Those who say it is too drastic point out that mistakes can be made. However, this does not stop the death penalty, the most drastic punishment of them all, & like castration, irreversible. There are those who say that a determined sex offender will take testosterone, thus negating the effects of the surgery. Maybe. But unless we wish to incarcerate these people for life it is really impossible to keep the truly determined from re-offending.

I'll admit that like most people, I would like to see sex offenders get the worst punishment.

My concern is that the sex offender could not only take testosterone, but if castrated against his will, he may turn out to be a very vengeful eunuch, and I would be just as afraid of a vengeful eunuch as I would a non-castrated offender. You may have to incarcerate offenders for life anyway.

Some offenders do seek castration on their own initiative. A voluntary castration may help them with rehabilitation. I believe that such offenders should be granted surgical castration if they do wish it, but not as a substitute for prision time. Let them do the time if they've done the crime.

[Paolo]

One of the biggest problems in Society is that there seems to be no punishment for serious crimes, yet ridiculous punishments for petty crimes.

Has it been proven that innocent people have spent years in prison? Yes. What's to become of them, had they been sentenced to some irreversible punishment, such as castration/nullification?

It's a real can of worms to reopen, but it's also interesting to note that in cultures that are "less advanced" than ours, certain crimes (such as theft - cut off a hand, rape - cut off the penis) are virtually nonexistant.

[Andrew (imported)]

This is a contraversial subject. Those who say it is too drastic point out that mistakes can be made. However, this does not stop the death penalty, the most drastic punishment of them all, & like castration, irreversible. There are those who say that a determined sex offender will take testosterone, thus negating the effects of the surgery. Maybe. But unless we wish to incarcerate these people for life it is really impossible to keep the truly determined from re-offending.

I doubt if mandatory castration would do the slightest good. Now informed, voluntary castration would be OK. Problem: can it be voluntary if it is offered as way of getting reduced prison time?

But yes, I would say that if the rapist has a sincere desire to not offend again, voluntary castration would work, either surgical or chemical. Now, who determines what is "sincere"?

In its early years, the Third Tradition of Alcoholics Anonymous read that the only requirement for membership was an HONEST desire to stop drinking. After a few years they had to drop the word "honest" since nobody could figure out how to test or measure for it.

And that will always be a problem as far as castration for sex crimes goes. If it is for punishment, it will never work. If it is for treatment, who determines who gets the treatment and under what conditions?

[Riverwind (imported)]

wow, had my responce all ready then read the posts above and may need to reconcider. I guess I would agree that the time must be served for the crime, castration I think must still be on a volintary bases. This is a tough topic with no real answer, then you through lawyers in the mix and..........

I guess my heart says cut the guys balls off.

My brain comes up with all sorts of objections.

River,

[madscientist (imported)]

Has it been proven that innocent people have spent years in prison? Yes. What's to become of them, had they been sentenced to some irreversible punishment, such as castration/nullification?

It has been proven that innocent people have

been EXECUTED (remember Bruno Hauptman?), may they rest in peace, yet we still continue on with the death penalty. I would rather be castrated than dead.

[plezherus (imported)]

We need crime. Crime keeps people busy.

Crime is good!;)

-plezherus

[Paolo]

Crime keeps Dunkin Donuts in business. Think of this : no crime, no cops. No cops, no donut shops. Lost jobs. Bad economy - or worse economy I should say! Higher crime rate ... oops, sounds like a viscious circle!

And before someone mentions it, let me say - no, I do not like cops. I know 5, 2 personally, that are honest and law abiding. IMHO, the rest of them are donut munching, coffee swilling idiots who smoke their own evidence.

[luvpain (imported)]

I tend to lean towards mandatory castration, especially of repeat sex offenders. However I do agree that mandatory castration would be hard to pass, and I'm also in to giving people a 2nd Chance. However if they strike out twice they are out in my game.

I think it would be fair to offer voluntary castration to first time offenders, which would reduce their jail time by no more than 1/4 (25%). For those of you concerned about them taking Testosterone afterwards, make that illegal for them and have a mandatory periodic monitoring. If they are shown to be taking Testosterone then they would be jailed.

As for the revenge for being cut for punishment, I believe that that percentage would be very small, especially when compared to the number of repeat offenders. However, I think if they knew if that their 3rd offense would result in a penectomy being preformed on them, with a hefty jail sentence that might be a good deterrence to them

Most criminals are not very bright , they are bound to make plenty of mistakes and get caught. :tongueout

[Pueros]

I have to disagree very much with luvpain.

He apparently suggests that some injustice by the justice system is acceptable.

Well, no it isn't!

In the 21st century, surely there are better ways of dealing with those found guilty of crimes than killing or, given this thread, compulsorily castrating them. Not only are many subsequently found to be innocent but, also, there is no real evidence that such action is a true deterrent to others!

Additionally, does such barbarism have a role to play in modern times? Shouldn't we above such practices?

At present, western nations pontificate to others about the superiority of our ethics & civilisation. However, if such awful judicial punishments are continued/introduced into our societies, where does that place us in the civilised pecking order?

History is my profession & I've learnt from it that such regressive attitudes & policies are to be avoided at all costs, as next to suffer will be the liberal attitudes to boards such as this!

PUEROS